engaging interiors Lynn Befu designing successful communities in healthcare buildings Velimira Drummer
Interior design is a key aspect of design for health and wellness. In fact, understood holistically to include the organisation, shaping and elaboration of internal space, it is arguably more crucial to the experience of all users than any other aspect of physical design. Over the last 20 years interior design has moved rapidly from perfunctory and formulaic spatial decoration to sophisticated shaping of perception and mood, not unlike what can be found in some of the best contemporary hospitality designs. design challenges in the healthcare interior
Scale and massing Di erent user communities
One of the biggest challenges for the hospital designer is the size and scale of a project. Large hospitals share some similarities with small towns - di erent people with di erent purpose move daily, stay for diagnostic and treatment or work in the building. The challenge is to direct and streamline the ows of physicians, carers di erent users and to create successful communities for the di erent constituents occupying the building. administrators Therefore, the consideration of the “town planning aspects” of the design is key for a successful interior architecture of large hospital buildings. researchers patients & visitors students general public
Patients and visitors come to a facility for a period of time Hospitals are workplaces for hundreds of sta , who either Designing to accommodate the local community and then leave. This aspect of "forced tourism" is the main work in the building or visit it for educational purposes. As can create a hospital which becomes a destination in characteristic of the patient and visitor group. such, good interior design for hospitals should consider the itself. Increasingly, large hospitals are attracting people trends of modern workspace design: through their public amenities - good shops, cafés, In the late 1990s the UK Department of Health implemented salons, cinemas, education, landscaped gardens and art the concept of "the patient as a consumer" – a trend exibility, connectivity, ergonomics programmes give locals a reason to visit the hospital even emanating from the US healthcare system. This health when they are well. consumerism was an acknowledgment that a patient had Well-designed amenities for sta are an important factor the right to a good quality experience when in hospital. It in the recruitment and retention of quali ed professionals. Clear way nding and the creation resulted in the allocation of upli ed budgets for enhanced interiors and additional space - social spaces in bedrooms The main design features to consider are: of security and privacy boundaries for example. Within the space of 15 years, the UK has seen through the careful location of public amenities are interior design progress from the adornment of space to • Acoustic privacy the shaping of experience. important aspects of the hospital design. • Connectivity - visual and physical The design for the patient community requires the • Formal / Informal meeting spaces following considerations: • Ergonomics • Positive in uences on the emotional state of patients • Touch-down workstations and visitors • Elements which upli the spirit de-stress, inform, reassure, stimulate • Clear way nding • Integration of patient and family • Respect of cultural values when designing in di erent countries or for di erent ethnic groups Bridgepoint Active Healthcare Redevelopment (Diamond Schmitt / HDR / KPMB / Stantec) tools to improve the quality of interior environments
Spatial organisation
At its core every project requires a clear vision and a strong organising design concept that is seamlessly Process for Evidence-Based Design integrated within its context and breadth of that context. By the design of large hospitals it is important to (c)2014 The Advisory Board Company Evidence-based design create from the beginning a clear spatial organisation through: When designing healthcare facilities it is important that designers Correctness Prioritisation Implementation Assessment base their design decisions on credible evidence-based research to achieve the best possible results. Are we basing design Do we have a process to Do we pro-actively work Does our organisation 1. The creation of hierarchies decisions on trustworthy prioritise design principles with health system clients collect baseline sources of the most based upon the best to apply EBD concepts, performance metrics, up-to-date evidence as available research, client hypothesise expected evaluate the impact of Establishing key space categories provides an organisational system for addressing the quantity and variety it relates to the project? goals and objectives? outcomes? design post-occupancy? Palette of spaces within a large and complex building. Goal: Evaluate Available Research Goal: Add to the Body of Knowledge A material palette has to work for each facility. A base neutral Personal Hierarchy of scale palette can be a unifying factor across the various interior spaces, Pockets Hospitality from public to back-of-house areas, and from patient treatment to Suite L4/L5/L6/L7 sta work areas. The base palette should be: Sta Collaboration BASE MATERIAL PALETTE Zone Limited for easy maintenance
L3/L4 L3 Durable for longevity and saving cost 2-Storey Interactive Auditorium Sta Zone Cleanable for patient safety Additional accent colour palettes and specialty materials and
L2 textures can provide unexpected splashes of colour and interesting Meditation Path elements to create a hospitality environment in a clinical setting. around Courtyard L1 Metal Ceiling Integrated Acoustical Wood Ceiling Solid Surface Laminate Wood Panels Porcelain Wall Tile Resilient Flooring Porcelain Slab Flooring Further aspects to be considered by the material and nishes Infusion Ceiling selection are: Cabins TEXTURE
Large-scale public atrium at Leeds Cancer Centre (Stantec) Home-like scale patient bedroom at NCCCR (Stantec) • Cultural sensitivity and appropriateness L1 • Local and regional sourcing of materials Piano Nobile • Human health / reduced toxicity in materials Concourse Simple organisational diagram L0 Bonded Metal Textured Porcelain Antique Bronze Resin Panel Decorative Glass Solid Surface Textured Wall High Performance Textured Textiles Back Painted Printed Glass Fabric Wrapped • Evidence-based design of circulation and key landmark Wall Tile Metal Wall Wall Panels Covering Textured Panels Glass Acoustical Panels Entry Foyer • Sustainability spaces at NCCCR (le ) Connections to nature 2. A constellation of landmarks Access to the exterior and natural environment has been proven to accelerate the healing processes. Important considerations are: In recognition of the very human need for variety, the concept for a successful interior is the development of a variety of landmarks. • Access to ltered natural light and external views Variety is the antidote to the institutional; it provides physical and • Visual connection to sky, water and nature emotional relief and is a key component for inherent way nding. • Patient circulation routes with natural light Art Research has shown that the arts have the capacity to produce positive health outcomes. Evidence for art as a healing modality includes not only the visual arts, but also music and performance, media and interactive art, and art therapy in which patients, family and sta bene t from the participation in creative expression.
The arts are a counterbalance to the stress-creating aspects of a medical environment; they provide opportunities for respite, Teaching hub at Edmonton North Clinic (HOK / Stantec) make spaces more personal, and add elements of discovery and Just as successful city and campus delight. They are also a key component in creating a culturally planning rely on the development relevant environment in a building driven by international standards. of iconic centres for each zone or neighbourhood, we must create Art is considered on a number of levels: architecturally integrated similar emotional “heart spaces” to art; commissioned art; and therapeutic art created by and for patients. anchor key areas both for sta and Creating a visual dialogue between inside spaces and nature at Meyer Children's Hospital (CSPE / Stantec) physicians as well as for patients and families. Landmark entrance hall at Naufar Wellness and Recovery Centre (Stantec)
3. The integration of interior design with clinical planning
Calming clutter Humanising clinical areas On-stage & o -stage design Integration of functionally-required items Minimising the impact of major medical Separation of public-patient zones from sta into the interior architecture equipment zones to safeguard privacy
Integrated art and activities in the waiting area of Hospital for Sick Kids Emergency Department (Stantec) Activity wall in the waiting area of The Hospital for Sick Kids Haematology Department (Stantec)
New Cancer Centre at Guy's Hospital (RSHP/Stantec) Providence Cancer Centre (Stantec) Lutherwood Children's Mental Health Centre (Stantec)